Citation and License

BMC Microbiology 2011, 11:193
doi:10.1186/1471-2180-11-193

Published: 26 August 2011

Abstract

Background

Studies have suggested that demographic and lifestyle factors could shape the composition
of fecal microbiota in early life. This study evaluated infant stool microbiota signatures
in two Asian populations, Singapore (n = 42) and Indonesia (n = 32) with contrasting
socioeconomic development, and examined the putative influences of demographic factors
on these human fecal associated bacterial signatures.

Results

Longitudinal analysis showed associations of geographical origin with Clostridium leptum, Atopobium and Bifidobacterium groups. Mode of delivery had the largest effect on stool microbiota signatures influencing
the abundance of four bacterial groups. Significantly higher abundance of bacterial
members belonging to the Bacteroides-Prevotella, Bifidobacterium and Atopobium groups, but lower abundance of Lactobacilli-Enterococci group members, were observed in vaginal delivered compared to caesarean delivered
infants. Demographic factors influencing the structure of infants stool microbiota
during the first year of life included breastfeeding, age of weaning, sibship size
and exposure to antibiotics.

Conclusions

Differences in stool microbiota signatures were observed in relation to various demographic
factors. These features may confound studies relating to the association of the structure
of fecal microbiota and the predisposition to human modern disease.